*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
Senator Ben Cardin and Senator Rand Paul
to Host Bipartisan Briefing on Voting Rights Restoration
TUESDAY, July 22nd, 2014 at 2:00 p.m , U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.)will host a discussion on solutions to end the disenfranchisement of individuals with past criminal convictions. Senator Cardin has introduced S. 2235, the Democracy Restoration Act, which would restore Federal voting rights to all individuals when released from incarceration. Senator Paul has introduced S. 2550, the Civil Rights Voting Restoration Act, which would restore Federal voting rights of non-violent persons under certain conditions.
The right to vote is the most basic right of citizenship. Regaining the right to vote reintegrates individuals with criminal convictions into free society, helping to enhance public safety and encourage rehabilitation. The lack of a uniform standard for voting in Federal elections leads to an unfair disparity and unequal participation in Federal elections, and state disenfranchisement laws disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities. The United States is one of the few Western democracies that permits the permanent denial of voting rights for individuals with felony convictions.
The event will be webcast LIVE here:
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Introductory Remarks:
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin
Democrat, Maryland
U.S. Senator Rand Paul
Republican, Kentucky
Expert Panelists:
- Nicole Austin-Hillery, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law (moderator)
- Deborah J. Vagins, American Civil Liberties Union
- Bernard Kerik, Former New York City Police and Correction Commissioner
- Desmond Meade, Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and Lifelines to Healing – PICO Florida
- Rev. Dr. H. David Schuringa, Crossroad Bible Institute
- Carl Wicklund, American Probation and Parole Association
562 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510